The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the allocation of $500 million in grants to support the development of future COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics. This funding, granted through the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), is part of the federal government’s Project NextGen initiative, aimed at strengthening preparedness against upcoming COVID-19 variants. Earlier this year, HHS awarded $1.4 billion in grants through the same program.
Among the beneficiaries are CastleVax and Codagenix, developers of two intranasal vaccine candidates. CastleVax received $8.5 million, while Codagenix was granted $10 million. Although intranasal vaccines are relatively uncommon, the spray flu vaccine known as FluMist is authorized for individuals aged two to 49 in the United States.
During a discussion with the Infectious Diseases Society of America, Joanna Kaufman, executive vice president for oncology and immunology at Codagenix, provided insights into the available data on her company’s intranasal vaccine candidate, CoviLiv. In contrast to the more prevalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, Codagenix’s intranasal candidate employs a modified, weakened version of the virus to stimulate an immune response.
“CoviLiv is capable of inducing a robust, systemic immune response through the intranasal administration of this live attenuated bio-vaccine,” Kaufman remarked. She further explained that Codagenix’s vaccine not only targets spike proteins like mRNA vaccines but also other viral proteins that mutate with less frequency.
ASPR assistant secretary Dawn O’Connell referred to the grants as “important steps forward” for the Biden administration.
In a statement, O’Connell said, “The vaccine selections and funding announced today are important steps forward for Project NextGen, with vaccine and therapeutics candidates progressing rapidly towards clinical trials that will commence in the coming months.” She also expressed confidence in the technologies HHS is investing in, including intranasal vaccines and self-amplifying mRNA, believing they will enhance our defense against COVID-19 in the long term.
Gritstone Bio, developing a self-amplifying mRNA vaccine candidate, was awarded $10 million. This vaccine differs from traditional mRNA vaccines by generating multiple copies of the virus’s RNA, rather than a single copy. This distinction potentially allows for greater potency at lower doses and improved stability under refrigeration.
In addition to the vaccine-related grants, HHS allocated $240 million to companies working on advanced viral testing and sampling technologies, as well as $241 million to those developing new treatments, such as monoclonal antibodies.
“The Biden-Harris Administration remains committed to safeguarding people from COVID-19,” stated HHS secretary Xavier Becerra on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Becerra added, “Through investment in next-generation vaccines and treatments via Project NextGen, we can enhance our ability to respond to new variants, reduce transmission, prevent infections, and save lives.”
© Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
